Auckland batter Lauren Down has been ruled out of the White Ferns' Cricket World Cup campaign, after breaking her thumb taking a catch in a build-up match against India.
Fielding at point, Down took a sharp chance from Indian opener Shafali Verma, off the bowling of Hayley Jensen, to break a 29-run opening stand in their fifth and final one-day encounter at Queenstown on Thursday.
But while her teammates celebrated, she writhed in agony and immediately left the field with a hand injury. Team medical staff have confirmed the worst, as Down leaves the team to begin her recovery process.
“Quite simply, the entire squad is absolutely gutted for Lauren.” says coach Bob Carter. "She's a very popular member of the group and it’s fair to say the team were quite emotional when we got the news she was out of the tournament.
"You saw the impact Lauren had in the recent series against India - she played some really mature innings in the middle order and her fielding was at an exceptional standard."
New Zealand defeated India 4-1 in their five-match series, with Down named Player of the Match, after hitting the winning six in the final over of a series-clinching Game Three.
Wellington Blaze batter Georgia Plimmer will join the World Cup squad, with Auckland bowler Molly Penfold added as a travelling reserve.
New Zealand open their World Cup account against West Indies on Friday.